U.S. patent number 10,859,180 [Application Number 16/060,448] was granted by the patent office on 2020-12-08 for multi-position rotary actuator controlled by a fluid.
This patent grant is currently assigned to OUT AND OUT CHEMISTRY SPRL. The grantee listed for this patent is OUT AND OUT CHEMISTRY SPRL. Invention is credited to Marc Lorent, Adrien Orleans, Vincent Tadino, Guillaume Villeret.
United States Patent |
10,859,180 |
Villeret , et al. |
December 8, 2020 |
Multi-position rotary actuator controlled by a fluid
Abstract
Actuators and devices are provided for imparting a rotary
movement and comprising in a longitudinal direction first and
second hydraulic cylinders, characterised in that the first driver
is a linear hydraulic cylinder comprising a first piston, and that
the second driver is a linear hydraulic cylinder comprising a
second piston, and in that the devices include a member for
converting linear motion into rotary motion in order to convert a
translation movement of the second piston into a rotary
movement.
Inventors: |
Villeret; Guillaume (Dimont,
FR), Tadino; Vincent (Chastres, BE),
Lorent; Marc (Givet, FR), Orleans; Adrien (Mons,
BE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OUT AND OUT CHEMISTRY SPRL |
Gilly |
N/A |
BE |
|
|
Assignee: |
OUT AND OUT CHEMISTRY SPRL
(Gilly, BE)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005229932 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/060,448 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2016 |
PCT
Filed: |
November 30, 2016 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2016/079204 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
June 08, 2018 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2017/097648 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
June 15, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180355999 A1 |
Dec 13, 2018 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Dec 11, 2015 [BE] |
|
|
2015/5817 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F15B
15/06 (20130101); F15B 15/068 (20130101); F16K
31/1225 (20130101); F15B 15/1409 (20130101); F16H
25/186 (20130101); F16K 31/1635 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
31/163 (20060101); F16K 31/122 (20060101); F15B
15/06 (20060101); F15B 15/14 (20060101); F16H
25/18 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;251/252 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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3925887 |
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Feb 1991 |
|
DE |
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4400743 |
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Jul 1995 |
|
DE |
|
19828465 |
|
Jan 2000 |
|
DE |
|
0077596 |
|
Apr 1983 |
|
EP |
|
WO8403128 |
|
Aug 1984 |
|
WO |
|
WO2013127439 |
|
Sep 2013 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
European Patent Office search report dated Jan. 31, 2017 re PCT
Application No. PCT/EP2016/079204 of Out and Out Chemistry SPRL.
cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hicks; Angelisa L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Daugherty & Del Zoppo Co. LPA
Daugherty; Patrick
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A device for imparting a rotary movement about a longitudinal
direction for valve control, the device comprising: a first linear
hydraulic cylinder comprising a first casing and a first piston,
wherein the first piston is configured to provide a translation
movement along a longitudinal direction within said first casing,
said first hydraulic cylinder configured to be supplied by a
control fluid; a second linear hydraulic cylinder comprising a
second casing and a second piston, wherein the second piston is
configured to provide a translation movement along the longitudinal
direction within said second casing, said second hydraulic cylinder
configured to be supplied by the control fluid; a member comprising
a third casing configured to convert linear motion into rotary
motion in order to thereby convert a translation movement of the
second piston along said longitudinal direction into a rotary
movement about said longitudinal direction; wherein said first and
second hydraulic cylinders are configured such that the first
hydraulic cylinder is enabled to influence an operating state of
the second hydraulic cylinder; said first piston comprising a first
plate configured to define a first chamber and a second chamber in
said first casing; said first hydraulic cylinder comprising a first
port that is configured to supply said first chamber with said
control fluid, and a second port that is configured to supply said
second chamber with said control fluid, in order to respectively
supply said first chamber and second chamber with said control
fluid and impose a translation movement of said first piston in
response to a difference in pressure between said first and second
chambers; said second piston comprising a second plate configured
to define a third chamber and a fourth chamber in said second
casing and a pin extending in a direction that is substantially
perpendicular to said longitudinal direction; said second hydraulic
cylinder comprising a third port that is configured to supply said
third chamber with said control fluid, and a fourth port that is
configured to supply said fourth chamber with said control fluid
and thereby impose a translation movement of said second piston in
response to a difference in pressure between said third and fourth
chambers; said member comprising a rotating element that is
separate from the second piston and is configured to convert a
translation movement of the second piston into a rotary movement;
said rotating element being located in said third casing and
outside of the first casing and the second casing and comprising at
least one hollow portion comprising a cavity, and comprising over
at least one portion of an external surface two helical grooves
along said longitudinal direction; said second piston configured to
penetrate in said cavity of said hollow portion of said rotating
element; said pin configured for insertion into said two grooves of
said rotating element and to thereby mechanically couple said
second piston to said rotating element; and said third casing
comprising a linear internal groove configured to cause said pin to
slide along the third housing when the pin provides translational
movement relative to the third casing.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a rotating connecting
element configured to fit onto a valve to be controlled, said
connecting element being mechanically coupled to an element of said
member for converting.
3. The device of claim 1, configured to impose on an output shaft
at least three different angular positions separated by 90.degree.
from one another.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said first hydraulic cylinder is
configured to generate a first stroke; said second hydraulic
cylinder is configured to generate a second stroke that is twice as
large as said first stroke generated by the first hydraulic
cylinder.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said first plate has a first
surface area that is greater than a second surface area of said
second plate.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said first plate first surface
area is twice greater than said second surface area of said second
plate.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a third linear
hydraulic cylinder that is coupled to at least one of the first
hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder wherein said
third hydraulic cylinder is thereby enabled to influence a
configuration of at least one of the first hydraulic cylinder and
the second hydraulic cylinder.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is configured to
impose on an output shaft at least four different angular positions
separated by 90.degree. from one another.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein said linear internal groove can
prevent rotation of the pin during its translation.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a device for imparting a rotary movement,
more preferably with several angular stop positions defined. Such a
device can be for example used to control one or several valves.
The inventors also propose a system for controlling the passage of
a fluid in a duct and a machine for synthesising or purifying
elements comprising the control device of the invention.
PRIOR ART
Devices for imparting a rotary movement are known, used for example
for controlling valves.
WO2013/127439 A1 describes for example a compressed air device for
controlling valves. This device comprises a first and a second
rotary hydraulic cylinders with vanes connected together by mutual
interlocking. These two rotary hydraulic cylinders are generally
supplied with compressed air as a control fluid. The use of the two
rotary hydraulic cylinders of this device makes it possible to
impose three positions of a valve to be controlled, for example
three different orientations marked by angles 0.degree., 90.degree.
and 180.degree..
The device described in WO2013/127439 A1 has certain disadvantages.
The leakage rate in compressed air is not negligible and for
certain applications, it is not acceptable. On the other hand, its
various elements are relatively difficult to manufacture and the
overall device is relatively complicated to implement.
US 2001/0029835 A1 describes for example a compressed air device
that makes it possible to impose three positions on an axis by
converting a movement generated by linear hydraulic cylinders into
a rotary movement.
The device described in US 2001/0029835 A1 has certain
disadvantages. The complex architecture that in particular the
interlocking has of a hydraulic cylinder and of an element for
converting linear motion into rotary motion appears difficult to
implement due to the problem with the seal on the system for
converting linear motion into rotary motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect, one of the purposes of this invention
is to provide a device for imparting a rotary movement that is easy
to manufacture and implement. To this effect, the inventors propose
a device for imparting a rotary movement about a longitudinal
direction for the valve control and comprising along said
longitudinal direction: a first linear hydraulic cylinder
comprising a first casing and a first piston able to provide a
translation movement along said longitudinal direction in said
first casing, said first hydraulic cylinder being able to be
supplied by a control fluid; a second linear hydraulic cylinder
comprising a second casing a second piston able to provide a
translation movement along said longitudinal direction in said
second casing, said second hydraulic cylinder being able to be
supplied by a control fluid; a member for converting linear motion
into rotary motion in order to convert a translation movement of
the second piston along said longitudinal direction into a rotary
movement about said longitudinal direction; said first and second
hydraulic cylinders being configured in such a way that the first
hydraulic cylinder is able to influence the second hydraulic
cylinder; characterised in that: said first piston comprises a
first plate able to determine a first and a second chamber in said
first casing; said first hydraulic cylinder comprises a first and a
second ports in order to respectively supply said first and second
chambers with said control fluid and impose a translation movement
of said first piston thanks to a difference in pressure between
said first and second chambers; in that: said second piston
comprises a second plate able to delimit a third and a fourth
chamber in said second casing; said second hydraulic cylinder
comprises a third and a fourth ports in order to respectively
supply said third and fourth chambers with said control fluid and
impose a translation movement of said second piston thanks to a
difference in pressure between said third and fourth chambers; and
in that: said member for converting comprises a rotating element
separate from the second piston in order to convert a translation
movement of the second piston into a rotary movement, said rotating
element being located outside of the first and second casings. The
longitudinal direction can be for example defined as a direction
along which or parallel to which the first and second pistons can
be displaced.
The first and second hydraulic cylinders of the device of the
invention are linear. The latter have a degree of a seal that is
higher than that of rotary hydraulic cylinders with vanes that use
a control fluid. In the end, the device of the invention has less
leakage of control fluid. As linear hydraulic cylinders have a
better seal than rotating hydraulic cylinders, it is not necessary
to provide additional sealing shells with the device of the
invention, or to use highly elaborated sealing parts. With the
device of the invention, it is indeed possible to have good sealing
performance by using simple sealing elements, such as O-rings,
which are available of the shelf and are inexpensive. The
manufacture of the device of the invention also requires fewer
precautions when assembling the various elements for the same
degree of sealing. Furthermore, it is easier to manufacture linear
hydraulic cylinders than rotating hydraulic cylinders. In
particular, it is simpler to manufacture linear hydraulic cylinders
oneself than rotating hydraulic cylinders. It is there possible to
avoid purchasing commercial hydraulic cylinders with the device of
the invention and no longer be dependent on suppliers. These
different reasons make it possible to have a control device that is
simple to manufacture and to implement with respect to the device
described in WO2013/127439 A1.
The device of the invention has other advantages. As it is easier
to manufacture and as it requires less parts dedicated to obtaining
high levels of a seal, the device of the invention is less
expensive. It also makes it possible to work with lower pressures
for the control fluid. By way of example, the inventors have found
that with 4.5 bar of pressure, it is possible with the device of
the invention to have an output torque equivalent to the device of
WO2013/127439 A1 used with 6 bar; which is about a 25% reduction
for the same space occupied. This aspect also facilitates the
design of the device of the invention. There is no need for
elaborate control logic for controlling the device of the
invention. Each hydraulic cylinder can have only two configurations
or two operating states. These two configurations can be referred
to as `input rod/output rod` or `IN/OUT`. The control device of the
invention makes it possible to impose rotations in both directions
and not only in a single direction. Thanks to this aspect, the
device of the invention can be used in many applications. The
device of the invention takes up little space. It can be used for
controlling valves in corrosive, radioactive, wet, compact
environments. It is also not necessary to provide electromagnetic
shielding in order to protect electronic elements such as sensors
for example.
The device of the invention claimed has other advantages in
relation to document US 2001/0029835 A1 in which the device
requires the interlocking of the system for converting linear
motion into rotary motion with a piston in the same casing as well
as the supply with fluid of a chamber of a piston through a second
chamber. The device of the invention claimed requires four dynamic
seals while the device of US 2001/0029835 A1 requires six dynamic
seals. Reducing the number of dynamic seals makes the device more
reliable in terms of a seal and simpler in terms of the manufacture
thereof and of the assembly thereof.
The device of the invention claimed does not require any complex
architecture such as described by document US 2001/0029835 A1 and
is compatible with the use of commercial hydraulic cylinders for
which the adding of a system for converting linear motion into
rotary motion does not require modification of the linear hydraulic
cylinders.
The device of the invention claimed has four chambers provided with
a fluid pressure control in order to be able to actuate the pistons
of the hydraulic cylinders independently of one another. The four
chambers of the device of the invention are all different and
separate from one another and supplied independently by the control
fluid. This has a certain advantage with respect to document US
2001/0029835 A1 which has only three chambers allowing for the
control of two pistons. It as such appears that the two pistons
cannot be controlled independently for all of the rotation
movements of the output shaft. An independent control of the drives
is particularly sought for the valve control in order to have
hydraulic cylinder movements that are well controlled for a
conversion into a rotary movement of which the angular rotation
speeds are substantial.
The device of the invention could be called an activator or
actuator for one or several valves. Preferably, the device of the
invention therefore comprises, along a longitudinal direction, the
following elements in the following order: the first hydraulic
cylinder, the second hydraulic cylinder and the member for
converting. A member can as such be obtained for converting and
therefore a device according to the invention that is particularly
simple and compact. The rotating element included in the member for
converting is separate from the first piston.
According to a possible embodiment, the member for converting
comprises a third casing. The rotating element is located in the
third casing. The member for converting comprises a third casing
which is different from the first and second casings.
Preferably, this rotating element comprises at least one hollow
portion. It is then possible to provide a particularly simple
cooperation between the member for converting and the second
hydraulic cylinder, with the latter able for example to have at
least one portion which can be inserted into said at least one
hollow portion of the rotating element. Preferably, said rotating
element comprises over at least one portion of its external surface
a groove. By using a shape of said groove which is not a straight
line parallel to the longitudinal direction, it is then possible to
obtain a member for converting that is simple and easy to
implement. The rotating element can comprise more than one groove
over at least one portion of its external surface. Preferably, it
comprises two grooves. Preferably, the groove or grooves have a
helical shape along said portion of the external surface of the
rotating element, around the longitudinal direction of the device
of the invention.
Preferably, the device of the invention comprises on the second
piston a pin extending in a direction that is substantially
perpendicular to said longitudinal direction and able to be
inserted into the groove or grooves of said rotating element when
the latter comprises them, in order to mechanically couple said
second piston to said rotating element. The pin can be an integral
part of the second piston, with the latter then comprising such a
pin. When the pin is not an integral part of the second piston, it
is mechanically coupled to it and more preferably fixed. For
example, the pin can be comprised of a cylindrical lug.
The device of the invention can further comprise a rotating
connecting element to interlock on said at least one valve to be
controlled, said connecting element being mechanically coupled to
an element of said member for converting. For example, the
connecting element can be connected to the rotating element of the
member for converting when the latter comprises such an
element.
Preferably, the device of the invention is able to impose on an
output shaft at least three different angular positions separated
by 90.degree. from one another.
In general, the second hydraulic cylinder has a stroke that is
twice as large as said first hydraulic cylinder.
Preferably, said first plate has a surface (or area) greater than
said second plate. In other terms, the area of the first plate is
greater than the area of the second plate for this preferred
embodiment. The first piston can then have for example and
preferably a force twice as substantial than the second piston, for
the same pressure of control fluid. Preferably, the area of the
first plate is two times greater than the area of the second
plate.
The device of the invention can comprise a third linear hydraulic
cylinder coupled to at least one of the first and second hydraulic
cylinders in such a way that a configuration of said third
hydraulic cylinder is able to influence a configuration of at least
one of the first and second hydraulic cylinders. It is then
possible to have a device for controlling valve(s) able to impose
more than three different orientations to said valve or valves. And
this, particularly simply. The device of the invention can comprise
more than three linear hydraulic cylinders. It is then possible to
obtain additional orientations of a valve or valves to be
controlled. For example, the device of the invention can comprise
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten linear hydraulic
cylinders. Preferably, the device according to the invention is
able to impose on an output shaft at least four different angular
positions separated by 90.degree. from one another.
In general, the first and second hydraulic cylinders comprise at
least one (two in general) ports in order to supply them with a
control fluid. Examples of control fluid are: compressed air, inert
gas, oil or any other fluid.
The inventors also propose a system for controlling a passage of a
fluid in a duct and comprising: at least one valve for controlling
said passage of said fluid in said duct; at least one device such
as described hereinabove, each one of said at least one device
being coupled to each one of said at least one valve in order to
control it. The various preferred embodiments of the device of the
invention can be used in this system. The advantages of the device
and of its various embodiments also apply to this system. In
particular, it is possible to have a system that has a high level
of a seal and which is simple to implement.
The inventors have also designed a machine for synthesising or
purifying elements comprising: a system such as described
hereinabove, a control unit to control the device of this system
and which has also been described hereinabove, the duct in which
the passage of a fluid is controlled, in such a way that at least
one valve of the system is located in said duct. The various
preferred embodiments of the device and of the system of the
invention can be used in this machine for the synthesis or
purification of elements. The advantages of the device and of the
system of the invention, as well as those of the various
embodiments of this device and of this system apply also to this
machine. In particular, it is possible to have a machine that has a
high level of a seal and that is simple to implement. Preferably,
said duct is a duct with a single use cassette.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
These aspects as well as other aspects of the invention shall be
clarified in the detailed description of particular embodiments of
the invention, with reference being made to the drawings of the
figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a view of an embodiment of a device according to the
invention;
FIG. 2 shows another view of the embodiment of the device
represented in FIG. 1 according to the invention;
FIG. 3 shows another view of the embodiment of the device
represented in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2 according to the invention;
FIG. 4 shows an example of a connecting element to be fitted onto a
valve to be controlled;
FIG. 5A, 5B, 5C show an operating principle of the device of the
invention according to a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D shows an operating principle of the device of
the invention according to another possible embodiment;
FIG. 7 shows an assembly of five devices according to the
invention;
FIG. 8 shows an assembly of a device according to the invention and
of a connecting element fitted onto a valve to be controlled.
The drawings of the figures are not to scale. Generally, similar
elements are denoted by similar references in the figures. The
presence of reference numbers in the drawings cannot be considered
as limiting, including when these number are indicated in the
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 to 3 show different views of an example of the device 100
according to the invention. Along a longitudinal direction,
symbolised by an arrow in FIG. 1, the device 100 comprise a first 1
and a second 2 hydraulic cylinder. These two hydraulic cylinders
(1, 2) are coupled in such a way that a configuration (or operating
state) of the first hydraulic cylinder 1 can influence a
configuration (or operating state) of the second hydraulic cylinder
2. It can also be said that the first and second hydraulic
cylinders (1, 2) are coupled in such a way that the first 1 is able
to influence the second 2 and more particularly an operating state
of the second hydraulic cylinder 2. For example, the first and
second hydraulic cylinders (1, 2) can be mechanically coupled. This
shall be seen more clearly during the description of the operation
of the device 100 of the invention which will be done with FIG.
5.
The first 1 (respectively second 2) hydraulic cylinder is a linear
hydraulic cylinder comprising a first 11 (respectively second 12)
piston. The first and second pistons (11, 12) can be controlled by
the intermediary of a control fluid. Examples of a control fluid
are: compressed air, inert gas, oil or any other fluid. Examples of
linear hydraulic cylinders are known to those skilled in the art.
In general, the first 1 (respectively second 2) hydraulic cylinder
comprises a first 21 (respectively second 22) casing in which the
first 11 (respectively second 12) piston can slide.
The device of the invention 100 also comprises a member (or
element) for converting 7 linear motion into rotary motion in order
to convert a translation movement of the second piston 12 into a
rotary movement. As such, when the second piston 12 describes a
linear movement, the member for converting 7 makes it possible to
transform this movement in such a way that an element connected to
it provides a rotation movement. In general, the member for
converting 7 comprises a third casing 23.
The member for converting 7 comprises more preferably a rotating
element 31 in order to convert a translation movement of the second
piston 12 into a rotary movement. This preferred embodiment is
shown in FIG. 1. A rotating element is an element which can provide
a rotation movement. Preferably, the rotating element 31 is housed
in the third casing 23.
As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rotating element 31 comprises
more preferably a hollow portion. In the preferred embodiment shown
in this figure, the second piston 12 can penetrate in the hollow 35
of this hollow portion of the rotating element 31. The rotating
element 31 is more preferably fixed in translation.
As can also be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rotating element 31
preferably comprises one or several grooves 40 over at least one
portion of its external surface. In the preferred embodiment of
FIG. 1, the rotating element 31 comprises two grooves 40.
Preferably, this or these grooves 40 are helical along the
longitudinal direction. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 3, the
rotating element 31 has a symmetry of revolution around an axis of
symmetry and the two grooves 40 of said rotating element 31
describe a helix about this axis of symmetry. In the example of
FIGS. 1 to 3 wherein the first hydraulic cylinder 1, second
hydraulic cylinder 2 and member for converting 7 are aligned, the
axis of symmetry of the rotating element 31 coincides with the
longitudinal direction (arrow of FIG. 1).
As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the device 100 of the invention
preferably comprises a pin 5 on the second piston 12. The pin 5
could also be called mechanical part or mechanical element.
Preferably, this pin 5 is mechanically coupled, for example fixed,
to the second piston 12. In order to couple the pin 5 to the second
piston 12, it is possible for example to pierce the latter 12 with
a hole, insert the pin 5 through, then block it with mechanical
tightening for example (or by screwing or gluing the pin 5 on the
second piston 12). Note that the blocking of the pin 5 on the
second piston 12 is not necessary. The pin 5 can be mounted with a
certain clearance in a hole of the second piston 12; the pin 5 is
then maintained in position for example by the intermediary of
walls of grooves made in the third casing 23. The pin 5 extends in
a direction that is substantially perpendicular to said
longitudinal direction and is able to be inserted into the two
grooves 40 of the rotating element 31, in order to mechanically
couple the second piston 12 to said rotating element 31. Indeed,
the second piston 12 can penetrate the hollow of the hollow portion
of the rotating element 31 and the pin 5 makes it possible to
mechanically couple the second piston 12 to the rotating element 31
in the following way. When the second piston 12 is in the hollow of
the rotating element 31 and carried out a translation movement with
respect to it, the pin 5, of which two ends are housed in the
helical grooves 40 of the rotating element 31, also provide a
translation movement imposes on the rotating element 31 to
rotate.
Internal grooves 25 (preferably linear) can be provided inside the
third casing 23 in order to allow the pin 5 to slide along the
latter when it provides a translation movement with respect to the
third casing 23. Preferably, the pin 5 is then provided with ball
bearings 27 at its ends in order to enable it to be displaced more
easily inside the third casing 23. Such bearings 27 are shown in
FIG. 1. The ball bearings 27 can for example be replaced with
sliding rings. The ball bearings 27 or sliding rings are not
indispensable. The pin 5 which can have the shape of a pin can
slide directly, without bearings 27, in one or several grooves 25
of the third casing 23. Grooves 25 in the third casing 23 make it
possible to prevent the rotation of the pin 5 during the
translation thereof. Other solutions could be used such as for
example blocking the rotation of the second piston 12 with the use
of a hexagonal rod, of a square rod, of a triangular rod or with a
non-circular plate. According to another possible alternative, it
is possible to provide a straight groove 40 in the rotating element
31 and a helical groove 25 in the third casing 23.
Other forms of the pin 5 than that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 could be
considered to couple the second piston 12 to the rotating element
31. Likewise, other means of coupling between the second hydraulic
cylinder 2 and the member for converting 7 could be considered.
Preferably, the device 100 of the invention comprises sealing parts
such as seal (O-rings or Quad-ring for example) in order to provide
the seal between the various elements. As is shown in FIG. 1, the
device 100 of the invention can also include one or several spacer
parts extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal
direction.
Preferably, the device 100 of the invention comprises a rotating
connecting element 9 able to fit onto the valve 200 to be
controlled. An example of a connecting element 9 is shown in FIG.
4. This connecting element 9 is then mechanically coupled to the
member for converting 7. For example, the connecting element 9 is
connected to the rotating element 31. Taking the example of FIG. 4,
the straight portion of the connecting element 9 is then connected
to the rotating element 31, of which its left portion is intended
to be coupled to a valve 200 to be controlled for example.
Preferably, the left portion of the connecting element 9 is able to
cooperate with a tap in the shape of a T, with the branches of the
T being housed in notches that can be seen on the left portion of
the connecting element 9 of FIG. 4.
Along the longitudinal direction, the device 100 of the invention
has for example a size between 4 and 10 cm. Other sizes are however
possible. As such, it is possible to have a device 100 of several
tens of centimetres. The first 21, second 22 and third 23 casings
for example each have a size between 5 cm.sup.3 and 15 cm.sup.3.
However, other sizes (for example casings of 1000 cm.sup.3) could
be considered, for example in order to rotate three-way valves 200
in industrial installations. Different types of materials can be
used to carry out the device 100 of the invention. Preferably, the
outer envelope, such as for example the first 21, second 22 and
third 23 casings are made of aluminium. Preferably, the first 11
and second 12 pistons, as well as the pin 5 are made of stainless
steel. Preferably, the rotating element 31 of the member for
converting 7 which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is made of bronze,
preferably self-lubricating.
Preferably, the first 1 and second 2 drives can be supplied with a
control fluid in order to control them. To do this, each hydraulic
cylinder (1, 2), preferably has a control fluid inlet (61, 63) and
a control fluid outlet (62, 64). The control fluid can be sent to
the bottom or to the top of the casings (21, 22) in order to impose
the movement of the pistons (11, 12).
When the control fluid is compressed air, working pressures are
generally between 2 and 10 bar. Preferably, when the control fluid
is compressed air, it is supplied to the first 1 and second 2
hydraulic cylinders by the intermediary of a system of valves 200
with compressed air. In order to control the injection of
compressed air into the first 1 and second 2 hydraulic cylinders,
it is possible for example to use two solenoid valves 200 control
by 24 V.
Preferably, ratio of the surfaces of the first 41 and second 42
plates of the first 11 and second 12 pistons is greater than one
and more preferably, it is equal to 2. In this latter case, the
force that can be exerted by the first piston 11 is then twice as
substantial as the force that can be exerted by the second piston
12, for the same pressure of the control fluid.
FIG. 5 shows a possible operating principle of the device 100 of
the invention. Thanks to the device 100 of the invention, it is
possible to impose three different positions on a valve 200 to be
controlled, -90.degree., 0.degree. and +90.degree. for example.
The left portion of FIG. 5 shows a first configuration of the
device 100 of the invention, called the position at -90.degree. in
what follows. For this position, the first piston 11 is raised as
much as possible. The upper surface of the first plate 41 of the
first piston 11 is in contact with an upper inner wall of the first
casing 21. The second piston 12 is also raised as much as possible
for this `-90.degree.` position. The upper surface of the second
plate 42 of the second piston 12 is in contact with an upper inner
wall of the second casing 22. Finally, the pin 5 is also raised as
much as possible. In order to obtain the operating mode shown in
the left portion of FIG. 5, the first (respectively second)
hydraulic cylinder 1 (respectively 2) is for example supplied with
control fluid via a second port 62 (respectively 64).
The central portion of FIG. 5 shows a second configuration of the
device 100 of the invention, called position at 0.degree. in what
follows. For this position, the first piston 11 is lowered as much
as possible. The lower surface of the first plate 41 of the first
piston 11 is in contact with a lower inner wall of the first casing
21. The second piston 12 is however pushed upwards by the control
fluid but blocked in its progression upwards by the first piston
11. Preferably, the first piston 11 blocks the second piston 12
halfway. There is therefore a balanced position of the second
piston 12 that results from an equilibrium between the action of a
force upwards exerted by the control fluid on the second plate 42
and a force downwards exerted by the first piston 11. The pin 5
which is integral with the second piston 12 is therefore in an
intermediate position, for example halfway if the second piston 12
is blocked halfway. In order to obtain the operating mode shown in
the central portion of FIG. 5, the first (respectively second)
hydraulic cylinder 1 (respectively 2) is for example supplied with
control fluid via a first (respectively second) port 61
(respectively 64).
The right portion of FIG. 5 shows a third configuration of the
device 100 of the invention, called position at +90.degree. in what
follows. For this position, the first piston 11 is again lowered or
pushed to the maximum. The lower surface of the first plate 41 of
the first piston 11 is in contact with a lower inner wall of the
first casing 21. The second piston 12 is also pushed completely
downwards by the control fluid here. The lower surface of the
second plate 42 of the second piston 12 is therefore in contact
with a lower inner wall of the second casing 22. The pin 5 which is
integral with the second piston 12 is therefore pushed into a lower
position, at the end of the stroke. In order to obtain the
operating mode shown in the right portion of FIG. 5, the first
(respectively second) hydraulic cylinder 1 (respectively 2) is for
example supplied with control fluid via a first port 61
(respectively 63).
In order to switch the configuration of the device called the
position at 90.degree. to the position called position at
0.degree., the first piston 11 is maintained in lowered position or
pushed as far as possible downwards by the control fluid injected
via the control fluid input 61. The lower surface of the first
plate 41 of the first piston 11 is then in contact with a lower
inner wall of the first casing 21. The second piston 12 is then
pushed upwards by the control fluid injected via the control fluid
input 64. The plate 42 of the second piston 12 is then blocked
halfway by the first piston 11. There is therefore a balanced
position of the second piston 12 that results from an equilibrium
between the action of a force upwards exerted by the control fluid
on the second plate 42 and a force downwards exerted by the first
piston 11. The pin 5 which is integral with the second piston 12 is
therefore in an intermediate position, for example halfway if the
second piston 12 is blocked halfway.
In order to switch the configuration of the device called the
position at 0.degree. to the position called position at
-90.degree., the first piston 11 is raised or pushed as much as
possible upwards by the control fluid injected via the control
fluid input 62. The upper surface of the first plate 41 of the
first piston 11 is then in contact with an upper internal wall of
the first casing 21. The second piston 12 is then pushed upwards by
the control fluid injected via the control fluid input 64. The
upper surface of the second plate 42 of the second piston 12 is
then in contact with an upper internal wall of the second casing
22. The pin 5 is then raised as much as possible and makes it
possible to reach the position at -90.degree..
In order to switch the configuration of the device called position
at -90.degree. to the position called position at +90.degree., the
second piston 12 is pushed fully downwards by the control fluid
injected via the fluid inlet 63. The lower surface of the second
plate 42 of the second piston 12 is therefore in contact with a
lower inner wall of the second casing 22. The pin 5 which is
integral with the second piston 12 is therefore pushed into a lower
position, at the end of the stroke and makes it possible to reach
the position at +90.degree.. The first piston 11 is not necessarily
lowered or pushed as much as possible. The lower surface of the
first plate 41 of the first piston 11 is not necessarily in contact
with a lower inner wall of the first casing 21 in order to reach
the position at +90.degree..
In order to switch the configuration of the device called position
at +90.degree. to the position called position at -90.degree., the
first piston 11 is raised or pushed as much as possible upwards, if
this has not already been done, by the control fluid injected via
the control fluid input 62. The upper surface of the first plate 41
of the first piston 11 is then in contact with an upper internal
wall of the first casing 21. The second piston 12 is then pushed
upwards by the control fluid injected via the control fluid input
64. The upper surface of the second plate 42 of the second piston
12 is then in contact with an upper internal wall of the second
casing 22. The pin 5 is then raised as much as possible and makes
it possible to reach the position at -90.degree.. In order to reach
the position at -90.degree. starting from the position at
+90.degree., it is preferable to actuate the first piston 11 before
the second piston 12 pushes the first piston 11 upwards. As such it
is possible to reach the position at -90.degree. starting from the
position at +90.degree. in a single continuous movement thanks to
the prior raising of the first piston 11 into the top position and
to the raising of the second piston 12 corresponding to its
complete stroke.
Angular positions other than those mentioned in FIG. 5 could be
considered for the three configurations of the device 100 of the
invention.
In the first hydraulic cylinder 1, the first plate 41 of the first
piston 11 delimits a first and a second chamber in the first casing
21. The first chamber is able to be supplied with compressed air
via the control fluid input 61. The second chamber is able to be
supplied with compressed air the control fluid input 62. In the
second hydraulic cylinder 2, the second plate 42 of the second
piston 12 delimits a third and a fourth chamber in the second
casing 22. The third chamber is able to be supplied with compressed
air via the control fluid input 63. The fourth chamber is able to
be supplied with compressed air via the control fluid input 64. The
first, second, third and fourth chambers are all different and do
not allow for communication of the control fluid from one chamber
to another.
The device 100 of the invention can include more than two linear
hydraulic cylinders. In particular, the device 100 of the invention
can include a third linear hydraulic cylinder 3 coupled for example
to the first hydraulic cylinder 1. FIG. 6 shows an example of a
device 100 comprising three linear hydraulic cylinders, a third
linear hydraulic cylinder 3 comprising a third piston 13. By using
more than two linear hydraulic cylinders, it is possible to have a
device 100 with more than three configurations or different
positions. For example, by using three linear hydraulic cylinders,
it is possible to have a device 100 with four positions or
different configurations. In the case shown in FIG. 6, the
following positions can be obtained: 0.degree., 90.degree.,
180.degree. and 270.degree.. Generally, with the device 100 of the
invention, a hydraulic cylinder 1 can limit (or not) the stroke of
another hydraulic cylinder 2, which itself can limit (or not) the
stroke of another hydraulic cylinder 3, which can limit (or not)
etc.
FIG. 7 shows another proposition of the inventors: an assembly of
five devices 100 such as described hereinabove. As can be seen in
this figure, each device 100 is preferably connected to a
connecting element 9. The various devices 100 are preferably place
in parallel and each coupled to a valve 200 to be controlled for
example.
FIG. 8 shows an assembly of a device 100, of a connecting element 9
fitted onto a valve 200 to be controlled.
The inventors also propose a system for controlling a passage of a
fluid in a duet and comprising at least one valve 200 for
controlling the passage of said fluid in the duct and at least one
device 100 such as described hereinabove, with each device 100
being coupled to a valve 200 to be controlled. Taking the assembly
shown in FIG. 7, it is for example possible to design a system for
controlling five valves 200. When each device 100 comprises two
hydraulic cylinders (1, 2), three positions of each valve 200 are
then possible.
The inventors finally propose a machine for synthesising or
purifying elements (for example radioactive element) that comprises
a system such as described in the preceding paragraph, a control
unit in order to control the device or devices of said system and a
duct, in such a way that the valve 200 or valves 200 to be
controlled are located in said duct. The various valves 200 define
different sections of the duct. With such a machine, each valve 200
can then be controlled individually and can carry out rotations in
both directions without having to stop in the intermediate
position. A fluid contained in a reservoir can be pressurised in
order to enter into said duct via a valve 200 controlled by a
device 100 such as described hereinabove, with said valve 200
controlling the passage of said fluid in a section of the duct.
According to the respective positions of each one of the valves 200
of the machine for synthesising which are controlled by the device
of the invention, said fluid will be directed from one section to
another of the duct by passing or not through elements arranged to
treat said fluid. As said valves 200 can be driven according to
rotations in both directions, said fluid can therefore pass from a
first section to a second section then pass back to said first
section if necessary.
This invention was described in relation with specific embodiments,
which have a purely illustrative value and must not be considered
as limiting. Generally, this invention is not limited to the
examples shown and/or described hereinabove. The usage of the verbs
"include", "contain", "comprise", or any other alternative, as well
as the conjugations thereof, cannot in any way exclude the presence
of elements other than those mentioned. Usage of the indefinite
article "a", "an, or of the definite article "the", in order to
introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality
of these elements. The reference numbers in the claims do not limit
their scope.
In summary, the invention can also be described as follows. Device
100 for imparting a rotary movement (for example for controlling
one or several valves 200), comprising in a longitudinal direction
a first 1 and a second 2 driver, characterised in that: said first
driver 1 is a linear hydraulic cylinder comprising a first piston
11; in that said second driver 2 is a linear hydraulic cylinder
comprising a second piston 12; and in that said device 100 further
comprises a member for converting 7 linear motion into rotary
motion in order to convert a translation movement of the second
piston 12 into a rotary movement.
* * * * *